2 laps to reach 5000

I need 2 laps (rides) at Radiator Springs Racers on Monday to hit 5000 all time. It has been quite the adventure to reach this milestone. There have been good lap days and some challenging days. Good, when I was able to turn over 30 laps and not so good for those days I only got a few laps. Good or bad, I just kept at it, spending 10 to 14 hour days at the attraction. Through hot and humid months and up to 40 or more minutes waiting in the single rider line. 

The 2000 lap was for my Dad. He passed away from skin cancer before I was able to reach 2000. But I felt his presence on that lap. 

The 5000 lap is for all the supporters in this quest. The cast members for always having my back. They always seem to have that extra smile and greeting when they see me. They also like taking photos and teasing me. Blaming me when the ride goes down. I also have their back and love making them cookies and pumpkin bread. Also giving them photo albums of all the pictures I take with them. I don't want them to ever forget me. I will never forget the kindness they have shown me. I always try and be an example of how the Pit Crew should be treated. This "sisters and brothers" will always be my Disney Magic. I love them with all my heart.

The support of the various Disney Facebook group members has also been a joy in this journey. Wanting to take pictures with me is a constant joy. And words of encouragement always help. Still hard for me to understand why anyone would want a picture with me. I'm just a guy trying to reach a goal. 

And I can not forget my friends and all their support. Mike G., Sandra and Ken, Heather, Dorise, Marcus, Jill, Leslie, Carlene, Catalina, Katie, Cameron, Amos, Ruth. Lisa and Linda, Erin, David, Michelle and Claudia.

That is why 5000 will be a special moment in my life. And why I want to share it will as many people as possible. They say nice guys finish last. Maybe this one time, the nice guy will finish first.

Catalina, Ruth, Katie, and Carlene before lap 2000

4900

I need 13 laps (times) on Racers today to hit 4900. I took the tram from the Mickey and Friends Parking lot. I usually just walk over, but this could be a long week of work and racing. It all depends on how many laps I can get today. Would like at least 30. Park hours are from 9am until 8pm. I'll be here for all 11 hours. 

Arrived at Racers at 9:05am. Walked in Stand by line for first lap. Got in first car at 9:09am. And won the first race in Red 6.

In car by waterfall for lap 3 and the whole ride shut down at 9:40am.  Not today. I may need to come a bunch of days before and after work to get close to 5000. 

Back racing at 11:30am. 3 laps so far. Ten from 4900.

At 1:19pm, 8 laps were completed. Now 5 away from 4900. Single rider wait is about 10 minutes.

At 2:10pm, 11 laps in the book for today. Now at 4898. Two to go. 

Lap 4899: In car Teal 3, Luigi side for race, and won.

At 2:59pm, in Car Green 4, Luigi side for race,and won on lap 4900. Now the real fun begins. The last 100 to reach 5000. It will probably be the toughest 100 laps ever. 

I hope those who can, will attend the 5000 lap day on Monday, November 2nd.

4800

Tuesday October 6:

Today I need 32 laps (rides) at Radiator Springs Racers to reach 4800. Could be a bit of a challenge. Yesterday, I was only able to get 21. The ride did break down for about 2 hours. Plus I left early at 5:00pm. I also enjoyed part of the day hanging out with Lisa Love and her 2 kids and Mom, Linda. I got to ride 4 times with them. I also went to Soarin Over California with them during the Racers down time. We also had dinner at Naples, in Downtown Disney. It was great getting to know them better. They truly understand Disney Magic.

Let's see how today will go. The park opens at 8am. I got to the front gate by 7am.

The ride was not working when the park opened. They had us get in the line at 8:20am and then slowly walked us in. I usually don't get in Stand By Line,  but did today, so I could get 1 lap in before they open the single rider line. At 8:38am, they started letting people on ride. The first race was a win. Usually that is a good sign for the day. We'll see how it goes from here.

At 9:46am I got lap number 4 for today. It was also my 2000 lap for this year. I did not reach 2000 until November 17th last year. I know 5000 is the bigger number, but 2000 was very special last year. I hope 5000 will be just as special. At 12:52pm only 12 laps down. Feeling frustrated. Do not think I can get 20 more laps before closing at 8pm. But will stay to find out. 

At 5:50pm, I have 25 laps. Now at 4793. What happened in car 4791 was pretty cool. A mother and daughter from Finland were in the back row of a car with me. The mother asked if I had ever been on the ride before. I showed her my lap count lanyard. She yelled out, " I saw you on the news in Finland and was just talking to my sister about you".She took a selfie in the car and a picture after. I also got a photo with my phone. That was pretty awesome. 

At 6:53pm, I had 27 laps for a total of 4795. And the single rider line just grew to a 40 minute wait. So maybe 2 more laps.

Ended up with 29 laps today. Now at 4797. Three short of 4800. Will be back on Friday after work. 

Friday October 9:

Arrived back at Racers on Friday night at 7:47pm. The park is crowded because Disneyland closed for a Halloween event. I got on one lap and by chance unloaded at The GWD area. Cast member, Cameron V. Was there. She was wondering when I was getting here tonight. Her last day at Racers is tomorrow and I wanted to say goodbye. She is going to Nursing school full time. I will truly miss her. She was my Coach at the ride. She had me sign a Racers cap. She had all the cast members and 1 guest sign her hat. 

On lap 4799, I met a family that saw me 6 months ago. They waited until I caught up with them at grouping and Cast Member Jordan, let us get in the same car. 

I got in line for lap 4800 at 9:30pm. At 10:20pm, I got in a green car. The ride then had a full power down after they could not get a faulty car to go. So no 4800 lap today. I told Cast member Jordan that she jinxed it. When the ride went down for the single car fault, Jordan came to my car and wanted the first 4800 photo even though I still needed to complete the lap. After the shot, the full power down occurred. 

Monday October 12:

Have to work at 11am today. So came to DCA and try to get pass 4800, then head to work. Got to gates at 7am to see if they would let me in with Extra Magic Morning group. They let us in with the hotel guests at 7:12am. I got to ride at 7:20am. Got in Blue 3. Luigi side for race and won. Finally hit 4800. Now to move to the next number: 4900. I need to average 66 a week to reach 5000 on November 2nd. It will be a challenge. But I think I can accomplish this goal. Need everyone's good Karma sent my way to get this done.

Ride with Lisa Love and her kids Olivia and Marco. Also her mom, Linda Love.

Minttu and Janska from Finland

Jordan shot that caused full power down of ride. Just kidding.

Cameron photo on her last day

4800 ride. Sign almost tore in half.

Ruth and Nadine

Marie

Andrew

Alessa

Frances

Kimmy

Nick